All you need to know about
The Achilles tendon
Why do you, as a patient or future surgeon, need to be informed? It’s about you and your foot.
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You are the principal actor of your surgery
You will be the only one present from the beginning to the end of the care process, from A to Z and beyond that, you’ll have to live with it. In other words, you need to be part of the project, part of the surgical team. To feel at ease within this team, it’s essential to inform you and give you the keys to communicating as well as possible with the caregivers.
What are the 2 Achilles tendon pathologies?
Acute rupture: Acute rupture occurs as a result of sports trauma (running, soccer, jumping, rugby, tennis, etc.) or in the course of everyday life, which puts tension on the tendon (pushing your motorcycle uphill to move it), while dancing, etc.
Chronic tendinopathy: In chronic tendinopathy, rupture is an acute episode, but it will have been preceded by symptoms. Chronic tendinopathy occurs progressively and is often due to repeated microtrauma (footwear, running) in predisposing conditions (stiff muscles, sunken feet, inadequate hydration, taking certain medications, etc.). drugs such as quinolones, Roaccutane, hypolipidemics…). The aging of (collagen) and reduced blood supply (vascularization) are also recognized contributing factors.
Rehabilitation after surgery?
This will begin according to your surgeon’s protocol. Support, without immobilization, is only authorized after 45 days. Certain conditions or surgical procedures can shorten this period. You should anticipate your physiotherapy appointments so that you can start your rehabilitation without delay. You can ask for transport in series to get you to the rehabilitation center or physiotherapist, but this is not always reimbursed.
We need to limit them to preserve our healthcare system. It is also possible to have alternating sessions with the physiotherapist at home and self-education sessions (sometimes assisted by Smartphone applications). Re-education should be daily or almost daily, with personal work and sessions not exceeding 30 to 45 minutes (once or twice a day). It should not be painful.
When to resume sport after Achilles tendon surgery?
Resuming sport depends on the type of sport you practice. It’s a good idea to start gradually, initially at a lower level than your current fitness level, and to ensure that your muscles are properly re-athletized.
Unloaded sports (swimming, cycling, rowing) can be resumed after 2 months, and running after 3 months.
More demanding sports in terms of intensity (team sports: soccer, rugby and martial arts) can be resumed after 6 months.
Immobilization after tendon surgery?
Post-operative immobilization for around 6 weeks is recommended. The type of immobilization depends on your surgeon’s habits: plaster cast, resin, or articulated boot . The foot may be placed in an equinus position, i.e. in plantar flexion, for 3 weeks, so that the tendon suture zone is not put under pressure. The ankle is then immobilized in a neutral position, at 90° to the axis of the leg, for a further 3 weeks, with full weight-bearing allowed. Support is resumed after 6 weeks, with standard shoes.
